In this paper I explore the notion of reflexivity in two main domains. In the first, I explore my struggles as a trained objective, positivist researcher trying to embrace and…
Abstract
In this paper I explore the notion of reflexivity in two main domains. In the first, I explore my struggles as a trained objective, positivist researcher trying to embrace and appreciate subjective qualitative research practices. In the second section, I explore the dynamic relationship between myself, the researcher and my participants, focusing on issues related to ethnicity and power. Generally, research that explores ethnicity and power relationships commonly depicts the researcher as the privileged self compared with the participants as the marginalised other. However, in this paper I illustrate how this relationship in a multiethnic, multicultural and multilingual research context is much more complex and multifaceted than usually acknowledged. Moreover, this was further complicated by the researcher’s own experience in relation to the issue under investigation, which was different from that of the participants.
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Sumathi Renganathan, Zainal Ambri Bin Abdul Karim and Chong Su Li
An important aspect of an academic curriculum in higher learning institutions for technical disciplines is the industrial internship programme for students. The purpose of this…
Abstract
Purpose
An important aspect of an academic curriculum in higher learning institutions for technical disciplines is the industrial internship programme for students. The purpose of this paper is to investigate students’ perception of the effectiveness of an industrial internship programme offered by a private technological university in Malaysia.
Design/methodology/approach
Utilising a case study approach, the data for this study were collected though a survey questionnaire. The questionnaire gauged students’ perception of their eight‐month internship programme.
Findings
The students rated the industrial internship programme favorably. Generally, students viewed the learning through practical experience during the internship positively. In addition, factors related to the organisers’ operational and administrative efforts and the role played by the host company were also identified as important in determining the success of the industrial internship programme.
Originality/value
Industrial internship programmes in respective universities vary according to various needs. By sharing the findings in this case study, other institutions with similar or different industrial internship programmes can benefit from the information discussed in this paper.
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Sue Saltmarsh, Wendy Sutherland‐Smith and Holly Randell‐Moon
This article presents our experiences of conducting research interviews with Australian academics, in order to reflect on the politics of researcher and participant positionality…
Abstract
This article presents our experiences of conducting research interviews with Australian academics, in order to reflect on the politics of researcher and participant positionality. In particular, we are interested in the ways that academic networks, hierarchies and cultures, together with mobility in the higher education sector, contribute to a complex discursive terrain in which researchers and participants alike must maintain vigilance about where they ‘put their feet’ in research interviews. We consider the implications for higher education research, arguing that the positionality of researchers and participants pervades and exceeds these specialised research situations.
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Anusuya Yadav, Deepika Pandita and Seema Singh
This paper aims to study the interlink between work-life integration, job contentment and employee engagement. The notion of how far work-life balance (WLB) policies have a…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to study the interlink between work-life integration, job contentment and employee engagement. The notion of how far work-life balance (WLB) policies have a throwback on employee engagement has been presented with shreds of evidence of previous studies carried out in the timeline of 2005–2021 in India. The purpose is to bring forward comprehensive studies together, which are available on piecemeal form in the fragmentary form, to draw a firm conclusion about work-life integration policies and their parallelism with job engagement and organizational effectiveness. Furthermore, this study intends to develop a theoretical framework using Dubin’s methodology on organizational effectiveness in relation to work-life integration, job contentment and employee engagement.
Design/methodology/approach
This study is based on systematic literature review of papers reviewed from across databases of Scopus, Emerald, EBSCO and Google Scholar. The keywords used for the search were WLB, work-life integration, job satisfaction, job contentment and organizational effectiveness and also a combination of these words was used to pull down the relevant papers. A systematic literature review was undertaken on the topics of work-life integration, employee engagement and organizational effectiveness. These articles were then read and scanned with the overview on abstract and further these articles were selected on the basis of relevance to the current study. Those articles which showed interconnectedness between the identified variables of organizational effectiveness in relation to work-life integration, job contentment and employee engagement as antecedents were reviewed and a theoretical framework model is put forth using first part of Dubin’s methodology (1978) for theory building. The posited Model named A4 on organizational effectiveness using deductive approach is built on constructs, interaction, logic and propositions (Whetten, 1989).The theory will be functional in nature. With the given wealth of evidence, the injecting effect of work-life integration on employee engagement and pouring impact on organizational effectiveness becomes more transparent and clear. The authors have proposed a model for better organizational effectiveness through work-life integration policies.
Findings
One of the essential ingredients for better employee engagement is work-life integration policies, and organizational effectiveness becomes the by-product of the same. Innovative and friendly WLB policies assist employees to be more productive, dedicated and committed, resulting in better employee engagement which in the long run benefits the company in terms of effectiveness. WLB policies help to flatter down the burgeoning impact of complex work life on employee productivity and engagement. This paper concludes on the healing effects of WLB policies on employee engagement and organizational effectiveness and also proposes a model at the end. The posited model presents the antecedents for achieving organizational effectiveness.
Research limitations/implications
Because the study is conceptual in nature with the proposed model, more empirical-based studies by experts with relevant stakeholders will add more rationalization to the current study.
Originality/value
Organizational effectiveness is the key to survival in today’s complex and competitive world. The authors investigated how organizational effectiveness can be achieved with WLB policies, which can have a linear impact on employee engagement, and ultimately organizations can bear the flowerings of positive output. This linkage and coupling between WLB policies, job contentment, employee engagement and organizational effectiveness deserve attention which the authors have attempted to explore. The outcome and results of the study will contribute to the existing literature in a more meaningful manner and will assist human resource development and policymakers to achieve organizational goals with driving employees. Managers will gain insight into the identified theoretical framework model for its implementation in organization. Future researchers with empirical studies can test the proposed theory to determine its success at organizational level.
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Ruksar Ali, Sujood, Ariba Naz and Mohd Azhar
The purpose of this study is to provide a review of the existing research landscape on work-life balance and women’s career motivation. It examines the relationship between…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to provide a review of the existing research landscape on work-life balance and women’s career motivation. It examines the relationship between work-life balance and career motivation in the context of Indian women. Specifically, it explores how the work-life balance of women influences the motivational aspects of their careers.
Design/methodology/approach
The research uses a systematic literature review to identify and analyze relevant literature on work-life balance and women’s career motivation among Indian women from the Scopus database.
Findings
The study uncovers critical insights into the connection between work-life balance and women’s career decisions. It gives insight on how work-life balance significantly impacts women’s career choices. The SLR reveals a notable and consistent upward trend in the domains of work-life balance and career motivation among women.
Research limitations/implications
The findings of this study can inform organizations in tailoring policies that foster women’s career growth while simultaneously supporting a healthy work-life balance. In addition, the research can empower women to make informed decisions about their careers and personal lives. Ultimately, it contributes to creating a more inclusive and gender-equitable work environment, promoting both women’s career aspirations and their overall well-being.
Originality/value
This research stands out in its examination of the relationship between work-life balance and women’s career motivation, particularly in the unique context of Indian women. While previous studies have explored these topics individually, this research bridges the gap by investigating their interplay. Moreover, the application of a systematic literature review approach to these variables in the context of Indian women represents a novel contribution.